A Beast and a Banshee Join "X-Men: First Class"

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After all the nonsense surrounding the enrollment of Ben Walker into Professor Xavier's school for mutants, the role of Beast appears to be nailed down, as is Banshee.

Nicholas Hoult, who first caught the attention of audiences opposite Hugh Grant in "About a Boy," has signed on to play Hank McCoy, aka Beast, reported Deadline. Hoult was most recently seen in "Clash of the Titans" and "A Single Man." Beast/McCoy had been played by Kelsey Grammar in "X-Men: The Last Stand."

Hoult's casting comes on the heels of Ben Walker being handed the role only to have it taken away because of concerns about his age to some of the films other stars, before they went back to him hat in hand in an unsuccessful attempt to re-woo him.

Also joining the "First Class," is Caleb Landry Jones, who will star as Sean Cassidy aka Banshee, said Variety. Cassidy appeared in "No Country for Old Men" and can next be seen in "The Last Exorcism," from producer Eli Roth.

There are also rumors floating around that Lucas Till ("Hannah Montana: The Movie") is in line to play Havok, aka Alexander Summers, brother of Scott, aka Cyclops.

The film, which is being helmed by "Kick-Ass" director Matthew Vaughn, chronicles the friendship of Charles Xavier (Prof. Xavier) and Erik Lensherr (Magneto), the discovery of their powers and the common foe they battled before becoming enemies.

Hoult and Cassidy join Aaron Johnson as Cyclops, James McAvoy as Xavier, Michael Fassbender as Magneto and Alice Eve as Emma Frost.

Published at 9:58 AM EDT on Jul 9, 2010 | Updated at 2:40 PM EDT on May 30, 2012